After many years of wanting one, I just got a 20 gallon aquarium. Won't be setting it up for another few months because I plan to move soon, but thought I'd get as much info as possible now. It's my best thrift store find ever! Whoever donated it included what I think is a breeder tank as well as a filter, siphon, and some gravel that they sterilized in a pressure cooker. Not fond of the neon blue gravel, so I might get a more natural color for substrate and add some glass baubles for interest.
My favorite fish are fantail goldfish, but I'm not sure there's enough room in the tank for such messy fish. I know I'll have to do a partial water change every week no matter what I put in there. My houseplants will love the dirty fish water, I'm sure. I have read on caresheets that you should allow 10 gallons of tank space per goldfish, so if they're right I can keep up to two. I have a friend who used to breed them, and she agrees with the caresheets. I know that the "one gallon per inch of fish" rule definitely doesn't apply to goldfish. But I'm not sure whether ten gallons per fish is the right amount.
If the caresheets are wrong, what other fish should I get? I'm obviously a beginner if I'm asking this sort of question, so they need to be easy to care for. The only fish I've ever had was a betta, and I had to keep him in a bowl because I was in college at the time and wasn't allowed to have anything electric in the tank, not even a bubble filter, in the dorms. I don't have a heater for the aquarium, but I'm sure I could buy one. In additon to goldfish, I also like colorful schooling fish.
Also, how should I plant the tank? Fake plants or live plants? How much of the tank should be planted?
I would appreciate all the advice for my first aquarium that people can give!
-Katherine
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